Stokesia plant named ‘Mega Mels’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Stokesia  plant named ‘Mega Mels’ which is characterized by the combination of a large plant size, globular habit, large light purple flowers with yellow centers, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Stokesia laevis.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Stokesia disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘Mega Mels’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rightsapplication number 2018/1335, filed May 18, 2018, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘Mega Mels’ is a seedling selection resulting from thecontrolled pollination of the seed parent, Stokesia laevis ‘Mels Blue’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,090), with an unnamed Stokesia laevis plant (notpatented), the pollen parent. The crossing was made by the inventor inApril of 2014 at a commercial greenhouse in Rijsbergen, the Netherlands.In August of 2015, one seedling from said cross was observed whichexhibited large, light purple flowers. The seedling was isolated forfurther evaluation in order to confirm the distinctness and stability ofthe characteristics first observed. Upon confirmation of distinctnessand stability, ‘Mega Mels’ was selected for commercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘Mega Mels’, by way ofsoftwood stem cuttings, was first performed in August of 2015 inRijsbergen, the Netherlands. Through five subsequent generations, theunique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true totype.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Mega Mels’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘Mega Mels’. These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘Mega Mels’ as a new and distinct Stokesia laevis cultivar:

-   -   1. Stokesia ‘Mega Mels’ exhibits a relatively large plant size;        and    -   2. Stokesia ‘Mega Mels’ exhibits a globular plant shape; and    -   3. Stokesia ‘Mega Mels’ exhibits large, light purple flowers        which are conspicuously centered yellow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, exemplary saleable ‘MegaMels’ plants, at 5 months of age, grown outdoors in 140 mm nurserycontainers at the inventor's commercial greenhouse in Rijsbergen, theNetherlands.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical flowers of ‘MegaMels’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements, made in September of 2019,describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of one year old‘Mega Mels’ plants grown in 17 cm nursery containers in Rijsbergen, theNetherlands. Plants were produced outdoors with full sun exposure andmaintained using overhead irrigation at regular intervals, and werefertilized as required using a slow release fertilizer. No chemical pestcontrol measures were utilized during production.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘Mega Mels’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such measurements are approximations or averages setforth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 edition.

A botanical description of ‘Mega Mels’ and comparisons with the parentsand most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—A broad, upright herbaceous perennial with            inflorescence carried within and above the foliage.        -   Plant profile.—Obovate.        -   Height.—30.5 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 34.4 cm to            the top of the floral plane.        -   Spread.—30.0 cm.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.        -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast growing.        -   Propagation.—Method — Softwood stem cuttings. Time to            initiate rooting — Rooting is initiated in approximately 14            days when grown in a greenhouse with an ambient average            temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Time to produce a            finished plant — Approximately 12 weeks are required to            produce a marketable finished plant in an 11 cm pot.        -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less            tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect            Stokesia.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone            6 and temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius; drought            tolerant once established.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Moderately freely branched and moderately dense            rooting.        -   Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately            deep.        -   Texture.—Non-fibrous, non-fleshy.        -   Color.—Yellow-white, nearest to a mixture of RHS 158C and            158D.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basally branching main stem; freely            branching with lateral branches.        -   Number of main stems per plant.—8.        -   Number of lateral branches per main stem.—1.        -   Aspect of main stems and lateral branches.—Rounded.        -   Lateral branch length.—18.9 cm.        -   Lateral branch diameter.—0.55 cm.        -   Internode length.—4.5 cm.        -   Attitude.—Main stems are an average angle of 10 degrees from            vertical; stems vary from between 0 to 20 degrees from            vertical. Lateral branches are at an average angle of 20            degrees to the main stems.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Pubescence.—Densely covered with short, sericeous hairs with            an average length of 0.2 cm and colored greyed-white,            nearest to RHS 157D.        -   Luster.—Matte.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest RHS 145A.        -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 146C            and 146D, and becoming progressively darker with age, RHS            148A.        -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS            146C and 146D, and becoming progressively darker with age,            RHS 148A.-   Foliage:    -   -   General.—Leaves are borne both basally and on stems.        -   Basal leaves.—Arrangement — Alternate. Attachment — Sessile.            Division — Simple. Shape — Lanceolate. Dimensions — 18.9 cm            long, including petiole, and 3.4 cm wide. Attitude — Outward            and upward. Apex — Acute to bluntly acute. Base — Long            acuminate; decurrent. Margins — Entire; very slightly            undulate. Texture and luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces —            Smooth, glabrous, and matte. Luster, adaxial and abaxial            surfaces — Very slightly glossy. Color — Juvenile foliage            color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A.            Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to in between RHS 143A and 144A. Mature leaf color,            adaxial surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS NN137A            and NN137B. Mature leaf color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Venation — Type —            Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest            to a mixture of RHS 145B and 145C. Vein color, abaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 145A and            145B. Petiole — None present; leaves are sessile. Stipules —            None present.        -   Cauline leaves.—Arrangement — Alternate. Attachment —            Sessile. Division — Simple. Shape — Lanceolate. Dimensions —            12.7 cm long, including petiole, and 3.3 cm wide. Attitude —            Outward and upward. Apex — Acute to bluntly acute. Base —            Long acuminate; decurrent. Margins — Entire, occasionally            with one to three teeth present near the leaf base; very            slightly undulate. Texture and luster, adaxial and abaxial            surfaces — Smooth, glabrous, and matte. Luster, adaxial and            abaxial surfaces — Very slightly glossy. Color — Juvenile            foliage color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to            RHS 144A. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 143A and 144A.            Mature leaf color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to in            between RHS NN137A and NN137B. Mature leaf color, abaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. Venation — Type            — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 145B and 145C. Vein color,            abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS            145A and 145B. Petiole — None present; leaves are sessile.            Stipules — None present.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Terminal capitula comprised of a receptacle, disc            florets, and ray florets.        -   Natural flowering season.—Summer into autumn in Rijsbergen,            the Netherlands.        -   Flowering habit.—Very freely flowering.        -   Dimensions.—3.5 cm high, not including peduncle, and 13.0 cm            in diameter.        -   Quantity of inflorescence per plant.—32, on average;            typically 4 per lateral branch.        -   Attitude.—Upright.        -   Peduncles.—Length — Primary peduncles are 4.8 cm long on            average; lateral peduncles are 3.4 cm on average. Diameter —            Primary peduncles are 0.35 cm in diameter, on average;            lateral peduncles are 0.25 cm on average. Attitude — Primary            peduncles are upright; lateral peduncles are at an angle of            20 degrees to the primary peduncles. Strength — Strong.            Texture — Densely pubescent; short, sericeous hairs with an            average length of 0.2 cm and colored green-white, RHS 157D.            Luster — Matte. Color — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture            of RHS 145A and 145B.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Spherical.        -   Length.—Average of 2.8 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average of 1.7 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth; glabrous.        -   Luster.—Matte.        -   Color.—Greyed-yellow, nearest to a mixture of RHS 161B and            161C.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower type.—Composite; capitula.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Flower longevity.—10 days, on average.        -   Persistence.—Persistent.        -   Disc diameter.—5.0 cm.        -   Receptacle shape.—Flattened.        -   Receptacle height.—0.4 cm.        -   Receptacle diameter.—1.3 cm.        -   Receptacle color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 138C.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity of florets per capitula — 20. Shape —            Oblanceolate; proximal 25 percent of the floret is tubular.            Arrangement — Rotate with a single whorl of florets around            disc; florets are unfused. Attitude — Outward, with an            average angle of 10 degrees to horizontal. Aspect —            Carinate. Dimensions — 6.6 cm long and 2.0 cm wide. Apex —            Lanciniate. Base — Long, narrow cuneate. Margin — Entire;            not undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface — Glabrous,            moderately velvety and slightly glossy. Texture and luster,            lower surface — Glabrous, moderately velvety and slightly            glossy. Color, when opening, upper surface — Violet, nearest            to N88C. Color, when opening, lower surface — Violet,            nearest to in between N87C and N87D; basal tube is nearest            to RHS N87C. Color, when fully opened, upper surface —            Violet, nearest to N88C. Color, when fully opened, lower            surface — Violet, nearest to N88C. Venation, when fully            opened, upper surface — Violet, nearest to RHS N88C; basal            tube is nearest to RHS N87B. Venation, when fully opened,            lower surface — Violet, nearest to RHS N88C; basal tube is            nearest to RHS N87B.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity of florets per capitula — 130.            Arrangement — Radial symmetry; five whorls of florets. Shape            — Tubular; proximal 50 percent of florets are fused,            typically with 5 free apical lobes. Attitude — Upright and            outward; at an average angle of 20 degrees to horizontal.            Length — 3.0 cm. Width — 1.5 cm. Apex of the floret lobe —            Lanciniate; apical lobes are narrowly acute. Base — Fused            into a tube. Margin of the free floret lobe — Entire; not            undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface — Smooth,            glabrous and slightly glossy. Texture and luster, lower            surface — Smooth, glabrous and slightly glossy. Color, when            opening, upper surface — Violet, nearest to RHS N87C;            mid-section is slightly darker, nearest to RHS N87B; base is            green-white, nearest to RHS 157C. Color, when opening, lower            surface — Violet, nearest to RHS N87C; mid-section is            slightly darker, nearest to RHS N87B; base is green-white,            nearest to RHS 157C. Color, when fully opened, upper surface            — Violet, nearest to a mixture of RHS N87C and N87D;            mid-section is slightly darker, nearest to a mixture of RHS            N87B and N87C; base is green-white, nearest to a mixture of            RHS 157C and 157D. Color, when fully opened, lower surface —            Violet, nearest to a mixture of RHS N87C and N87D;            mid-section is slightly darker, nearest to a mixture of RHS            N87B and N87C; base is green-white, nearest to a mixture of            RHS 157C and 157D. Faded color, upper surface — Not fading.            Faded color, lower surface — Not fading. Venation, upper and            lower surfaces — No visible venation. Disc floret bracts —            Quantity — One bract is present at the base of each disc            floret. Arrangement — Rotate. Length — 1.0 cm. Diameter —            0.5 cm. Shape — Linear. Apex — Narrowly acute. Base —            Cuneate. Margin — Entire. Texture and luster — Smooth,            glabrous, and glossy. Color — White, nearest to RHS NN155A.        -   Involucre; phyllaries.—Arrangement — Rotate; free; five            whorls around the disc with the upper whorl exhibiting            unique morphological characteristics relative to the lower            four whorls. Quantity — 60. Upper whorl of phyllaries —            Length — 1.4 cm. Width — 0.2 cm. Shape — Narrow oblong. Apex            — Obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire. Texture and            luster, upper surface — Glabrous; glossy. Texture and            luster, lower surface — Glabrous; glossy. Color, fully            opened, upper surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C;            apex is greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 161C. Color, fully            opened, lower surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C;            apex is greyed-yellow, nearest to RHS 161C. Lower whorls of            phyllaries — Length — 1.7 cm. Width — 1.1 cm. Shape — Ovate            to elliptic. Apex — Mucronate. Base — Cuneate. Margin —            Coarsely dentate with mucronate teeth. Texture and luster,            upper surface — Glabrous; matte. Texture and luster, lower            surface — Glabrous; matte. Color, fully opened, upper            surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137B. Color, fully opened,            lower surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137D.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamens — Quantity — 5 per disc floret; none            present on ray florets. Anthers — Shape — Narrow oblong.            Dimensions — Approximately 0.5 cm long and 0.5 cm wide.            Color — White, nearest to RHS 155A. Filaments — Length —            1.2 cm. Color — White, nearest to RHS NN155D. Pollen, amount            — Moderately abundant to abundant. Pollen color —            Green-white, nearest to RHS 157C.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil — Quantity — 1 pistil for each disc            floret; no pistils present on ray florets. Length — 2.3 cm.            Style — Length — 2.1 cm. Color — White, nearest to RHS            NN155D. Stigma — Shape — Cleft; decurrent. Diameter —            0.8 cm. Color — White, nearest to RHS NN155B. Ovary Color —            White, RHS 155C.-   Seed and fruit: Botanical description is not yet available.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Mega Mels’ differ from its parent, Stokesialaevis ‘Mels Blue’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,090), by the characteristicsdescribed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘Mega Mels’ ‘Mels Blue’ Plant height. Taller than‘Mels Blue’. Shorter than ‘Mega Mels’. General coloration Light purpleand lightly Dark purple. Flowers are of the flower. suffused with pink,inconspicuously centered Flowers are yellow. conspicuously centeredyellow.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Mega Mels’ differ from its pollen parent, anunnamed Stokesia laevis plant (not patented), by the characteristicsdescribed in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘Mega Mels’ The pollen parent Abundance offoliage. More abundant. Less abundant. Foliage thickness. Thicker thanthe Thinner than pollen parent. ‘Mega Mels’. General coloration ofLighter green. Darker green. mature foliage. Floriferousness. Moreflowers per Fewer flowers per plant. plant. Abundance of involucral Moreabundant. Less abundant. bracts.

COMPARISONS WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Mega Mels’ may be distinguished from thevariety Stokesia laevis ‘Mini Mels’ (U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/501,668) by the combination of characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘Mega Mels’ ‘Mini Mels’ Floriferousness. Fewerflowers per plant. More flowers per plant. Flower size. Larger than‘Mini Mels’. Smaller than ‘Mega Mels’. Abundance of More abundant. Lessabundant. involucral bracts. Attitude of involucral More relaxed. Moreupright. bracts. General coloration Light purple and lightly Darkpurple; of the flower. suffused with pink; conspicuously centeredinconspicuously centered lighter yellow. yellow.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Stokesiaplant named ‘Mega Mels’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.